Aside from the ceramics arranged on the counter—which stood out awkwardly compared to the rest of the environment—the inn looked rather old and worn.
And yet, despite its shabby appearance, the place was orderly, visibly clean, and thoroughly dusted.
Violet, still perplexed, kept glancing at the girl as she bustled around with pots and dishes.
Looking at her like this, she seems more like a hurricane than a girl…
After a short absence, the innkeeper reappeared, carrying a huge tray—clearly far too big and heavy for someone so tiny.
On it were bread, water, and two large steaming bowls.
The bread was fresh, likely baked not long ago, and from the bowls rose thin curls of fragrant steam.
"Enjoy your meal!"
Mela placed everything on the table and then remained standing beside them, waiting.
Inside the bowls were large chunks of meat and steaming potatoes.
Violet stared at it for a moment, but she was far too tired to question anything.
Well… it's all or nothing now.
She scooped up a generous spoonful and put it in her mouth.
"…This is delicious!"
Mela lit up instantly, her tail wagging energetically.
"I told you my stew is the best in all of Ostelria!
It's made with carefully selected meat and potatoes I grow myself!"
She grows them herself?
Violet noticed that Nainai was staring at his bowl with a thin string of drool sliding down his mouth.
Taking his spoon, she filled it with stew, blew gently to cool it, and fed him.
"You two are such an unusual pair! Are you companions?"
Mela watched Violet feed the dwarf with clear fascination.
"Don't tell me he's… your boyfriend!!!"
"What??? NO!!!"
Again?? This is the second time someone says we're dating!
"We… we're members of the Giltown guild," Violet muttered, still pouting as she continued feeding the dwarf.
"We're traveling, you know…"
Mela straightened up.
"Oh, the guild! Yes, I know it! Sometimes adventurers pass by here. Are you traveling alone or do you have other companions? How old are you? Are you strong?"
She overwhelmed them with questions, barely giving them a chance to breathe.
Only then did Violet realize she hadn't even introduced herself.
"I'm Violet. I'm seventeen. And he's Nainai."
Mela's tail began wagging even faster, clearly intrigued.
"Seventeen? You're so young!"
Young? You're clearly younger than me…
"And what kind of mission are you on?"
That question made Violet flinch. Explaining everything from the beginning would be far too complicated.
"A… research mission…"
"And what are you looking for? A person? A magic artifact? Or maybe a bone?"
"No, well, we… it's complicated…"
With her stomach finally full, Violet felt sleep weighing down on her. She let out a long, heavy yawn.
"Oh, you must be very tired…"
Mela reacted instantly to Violet's yawn, visibly worried.
"Sorry… it's been a long day," Violet said, suppressing another yawn—unsuccessfully.
"Would you like to see your room?"
I don't even know what the beds here might look like… But I'm so tired I could fall asleep on the floor.
"Yes… thank you."
Violet stood up, helping Nainai do the same, and followed the young innkeeper.
They climbed the stairs to the upper floor and walked down a narrow hallway until reaching a door.
Mela opened it, walked inside, and went straight to the opposite wall, throwing open a small window that flooded the room with light.
"…And that's how they discovered the governor of Ostelria had fallen in love with an eel woman. An eel! Can you believe it?"
During the short walk from the hall to the room, Mela had unloaded every major piece of gossip in town on them, never stopping once.
Enough, I can't take it anymore. My ears are going to explode…
The room, now fully lit, was simple and airy. It looked like it had once been a small attic. There were two beds placed just beneath the window, which sat centered between them.
Along with two nightstands and an old wooden cabinet, Violet also spotted a washbasin resting on an iron stand in one corner.
Everything, though simple, was clean and tidy. Even the beds seemed well made, the sheets crisp and fresh.
Well… it looks clean at least…
Then a sudden noise came from above.
Mmfmfmfmf… pssssssss
It sounded like an animal noise, and it was coming from the ceiling.
"What is that noise?" Violet heard it again.
"Oh, that? It's a dormouse!"
"A… dormouse?"
Violet stared up at the beams crossing the ceiling, trying to spot it but failing completely.
"And where is it?"
Mela tilted her head, thinking hard.
"Well, I don't know yet. I sniffed the whole floor but couldn't find it."
"…Ah."
Still talking, Mela briskly straightened up the beds.
"Don't worry! He sleeps all day, he won't bother you! He paid for the whole month, so I can't exactly throw him out."
Mela gave them a bright smile as she finished tidying the bedding.
Violet's eyes widened.
"Alright then, I'll let you rest."
Mela left the room, closing the door behind her. Violet and Nainai finally found themselves alone.
A gentle breeze blew in through the open window. Violet approached it and leaned on the sill, taking in the view of the town and the sun, now sinking behind the distant mountain ridge.
It was larger than it had seemed at first glance, though it was hard to say whether it was bigger than Giltown.
We've really come a long way. I hope someone at the guild will at least be able to give us some information. I wonder how Célene and the kids are doing…
"Well, I'd say things turned out all right in the end, don't you think?"
Violet turned to the dwarf, who had approached the bed and was staring at it. His eyes looked tired.
"Sleepy?"
Nainai glanced back at her, visibly exhausted.
"Yeah… me too."
It was still early, the sun only beginning to disappear behind the mountains, but the long days of traveling — and all the shocks along the way — had taken their toll.
"Well, you can't sleep with all that on…"
Gently, Violet began undressing the dwarf, starting with the cloak, then untying the straps of his breastplate and greaves.
Beneath the armor he wore simple brown clothes. Violet noticed that his body, too, was crossed by scars — some of them deep.
The body of an old adventurer…
Wow… he must have been incredibly strong once…
Once he was undressed, she helped him climb into the bed and pulled the covers up around him. Nainai looked at her with a calm expression, seeming content and at peace. The moment Nainai closed his eyes, he was out like a rock.
"Zzzzzz…"
He… already fell asleep?
Violet watched him for a moment. Somehow, the sight felt familiar. She had never tucked in an adult before, of course, but putting the children of the orphanage to bed was part of her daily routine.
Yeah… it really feels like I'm the right person to take care of him…
She slipped off her black dress, staying in her undergarments. Her young body showed only the faintest hint of a chest. Left in her nightclothes, she hurried under the covers as well, lying on her back and staring at the ceiling with wide, thoughtful eyes, her mind running through all the events of their journey.
Mfmfmfmfmf… psssssss
It's been such a long road to get here. I really need to figure out where exactly I am and get moving as soon as possible if I want to reach the capital…
Mfmfmfmfmf… psssssss
Everything happened so quickly. I barely had time to understand what was going on before I was thrown into this ridiculous mission. I should've thought twice before signing that stupid contract… or at least demanded more information…
Mfmfmfmfmf… psssssss
Lying in bed with her head sinking into the soft, sweet-smelling pillow, Violet finally let herself relax, closed her eyes… and drifted into sleep.